New permit: Moving transportation
Updated: July 2026, 8
Support for license applications and business start-up for those who are about to start a new moving transportation business.
What is a moving company?Transport company before moving companymust be.
A moving company is a moving company that specializes in moving, and moving using a private car with a so-called white license plate is illegal under the Road Transport Act.
This moving transportation business is treated the same as the general freight motor vehicle transportation business, which transports cargo by truck, and must meet various requirements to obtain a permit.
Our company provides procedural support to those considering starting a new moving and transportation business, from applying for permits with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to the initial stages of business commencement.
Requirements for obtaining a general freight vehicle transportation business license (moving transportation)
In order to obtain a general freight vehicle transportation business license (moving transportation), please complete the requirements listed below and submit a license application to the Transport Bureau.
Permit requirements are becoming stricter year by year, with the maintenance manager system revised in 2007 and the legal examination system introduced in 2008.
In addition to the equipment requirements for offices and parking lots, it is also necessary to prepare for personnel requirements such as legal examinations for officers, operation managers, and maintenance managers.
| Sales Office | ① There is evidence that you have the right to use ②The building does not violate the Agricultural Land Act or the Urban Planning Act. If the building is rented, you will need to prove that the building can be used under the lease agreement. ③The scale is appropriate. |
| Garage | In principle, it should be attached to the business office. However, if it is not possible to have a garage attached to the business office, it is possible to have a garage within 5 to 10 kilometers in a straight line (this depends on the area, so please confirm with the Transport Bureau). It is necessary that the land used for the garage does not violate the Agricultural Land Act or the Urban Planning Act, and all vehicles must be parked within the garage.50cm or moreThe width of the road in front of the garage is generally6.5 metersIs required. *If these conditions are met, even a regular parking lot may be recognized as a garage. |
| vehicle | ① The number of business vehicles allocated to each business office is5 cars or more. ② If the planned business vehicles include a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, the minimum number of vehicles will be calculated as 1 towing vehicle + towed vehicle. ③The size, structure, etc. of the commercial vehicle must be appropriate for the cargo being transported. ④There is evidence that the user has the right to use the product. |
| Rest/sleep facility | As a general rule, it must be attached to a business office or garage. If you need sleeping facilities1 square meters or more per personIt requires a width of . If the building is rented, you will need to prove that the building can be used under the lease agreement. |
| Driver and operation manager/maintenance manager | ① Sufficient number of drivers, operation managers (those with an operation management qualification certificate), and maintenance managers (persons with 2 or more years of practical experience in vehicle maintenance, 3rd grade or above as an automobile mechanic) to start a general freight vehicle transportation business etc.), and this includes prospective employees. ② If maintenance management is outsourced to a group company, a system must be established to ensure that operations related to maintenance management, such as determining whether or not business vehicles can be operated, are carried out reliably. ③ The work quota and crew quota must comply with Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Notification No. 1365 dated August 20, 2001. ④The chain of command regarding operation management, including the officer in charge of operation management, is clear. ⑤ An education and guidance system for accident prevention is in place, and a system for handling accidents and reporting based on the automobile accident reporting regulations is in place. ⑥ Persons transporting dangerous goods must be qualified to handle them as stipulated in relevant laws and regulations such as the Fire Service Act (Act No. 186 of 1942). |
| legal exam | The applicant himself/herself (in the case of a corporation, the representative and full-time executive officer who executes duties dedicated to the business) must take and pass the ministerial ordinance examination. As a general rule, the examination will be held in the month following the month in which the permit application is received.The exam consists of 30 questions on related laws and regulations such as the Motor Vehicle Transportation Business Act, and the exam takes 50 minutes.You may bring in automobiles, etc., but information and communication devices such as computers are not allowed.Passing standard is 80% or higherIf you do not meet the criteria, you will be required to retake the exam. |
| Financing plan | ① There is sufficient support for financing. ② The estimate of the funds required to start the business is appropriate, and the financial plan is reasonable and reliable. ③ Own funds exceeding the full amount of required funds must be secured at all times from the date of application until the date of approval. |
| Labor insurance/social insurance | Those who are obligated to enroll in social insurance, etc. based on the Health Insurance Act, Employees' Pension Act, Workers' Accident Compensation Insurance Act, and Employment Insurance Act are required to enroll in social insurance, etc. |
| Ability to compensate for damages | ① In addition to planning to enroll in automobile liability insurance or automobile liability mutual aid, the applicant must have sufficient liability insurance, such as by signing general automobile liability insurance (voluntary insurance). ②For business vehicles used to transport hazardous materials such as petroleum, chemical products, or high-pressure gas, vehicles that meet ① and have sufficient ability to compensate for damages, such as a plan to purchase appropriate insurance for the transport concerned. To be something. |
Moving transportation business can also be done by light truck transportation business or freight forwarding business.
Obtaining the general freight vehicle transportation business license explained above and running a moving transportation business requires a certain amount of capital and human resources, which is a high hurdle for new entrepreneurs. .
Therefore, an increasing number of people are starting out with moving businesses without owning their own trucks, such as light truck transportation business or utility transportation business.
The consignment transportation business is licensed and licensed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Transportation Bureau), which has jurisdiction over the general freight motor vehicle transportation business. It is classified as a transportation business license.
| transportation medium | Permit type | jurisdiction | Message |
| First class freight forwarding business Automobile | Registration | Each transportation bureau | Although the company signs a contract directly with the shipper and assumes the responsibility for transportation, it does not carry out the actual transportation itself, but instead outsources the transportation to a trucking company. This registration is required if the transportation medium is completed by truck. |
| Second class freight forwarding business Coastal/Railway | Authorization | Each transportation bureau | Although the company signs a contract directly with the shipper and assumes the responsibility for transportation, it does not carry out the actual transportation itself, but rather outsources the transportation to trucking companies, railway transportation companies, coastal shipping companies, etc. The following formats apply: source of move → truck transportation → railway/domestic shipping → truck transportation → destination. |
| Second class freight forwarding business Ocean/International Aviation | Authorization | Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism | Although the company signs a direct contract with the shipper and assumes responsibility for the transportation, it does not carry out the actual transportation itself, but rather outsources the transportation to trucking companies, international air carriers, ocean-going carriers, etc. Applicable. The following formats apply: moving source → truck transportation → international air/ocean shipping → truck transportation → moving destination. |
In particular, in recent years we have been receiving more and more inquiries and requests from people who are looking to start an international moving company to apply for a Class 2 Freight Transportation Business Permit.
With the globalization of companies, if you are moving internationally for someone who will be assigned to a different location around the world, it is essential to obtain a Type 2 Cargo Transportation Business Permit in the international aviation mode or ocean shipping mode.
Flow until opening
For consultations and applications
Consultations are always free of charge.
Please contact us by phone or via the inquiry form.
After confirming the current situation, we will explain the application plan.
If you are satisfied with the price and service provided in the estimate, please submit your request.
Please discuss the payment timing and success fees with the person in charge.
Data collection/document creation
We will prepare the necessary documents for the application, such as a rental contract.
We conduct on-site inspections of garages, offices, etc., prepare financial planning budgets, and confirm whether permit requirements are met.
If there are no problems, we will create the application documents.
*Our professional staff will prepare a set of application documents and hold meetings with administrative agencies on behalf of the client.
Application
Our staff will make the application on behalf of the requester.
The application fee will be collected before the application is submitted.
We will also handle any additional document instructions.
legal exam
The legal examination will be held approximately one month after the documents are received.
This applies to executives and business owners (individuals) involved in the transportation industry.
The law exam is a 30-question test with a ◯× formula, and you will pass if you answer 24 or more questions correctly. (You are allowed to bring in the Six Laws, notebooks, etc.)
If you fail the exam, your application may be withdrawn.
Examination → Permission
After the documents are received, the examination will take approximately 3 to 4 months.
If you receive correction instructions due to missing documents or corrections, we will respond.
Once you receive permission, you will receive a permit.
Preparation for opening → Opening
The business will open once the following procedures have been completed.
・Notification of operation manager and maintenance manager
・Car license plate change procedure
・Participate in voluntary automobile insurance (voluntary insurance that covers a certain amount or more)
・Enrollment in social insurance (depending on the case)
・Fare list and notification of start of transportation business
*Our specialist staff will submit all necessary forms and documents on your behalf.
For transportation business applications, please contact Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation
At Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation, we provide application support and consulting regarding transportation businesses, from those who are newly registering and obtaining permission for a transportation business to those who are already operating a transportation business.
The transportation business has moved from the stage of simply receiving a permit to the stage of requiring the establishment of a compliance system.
Our staff has a track record of applying in all prefectures across the country. Please contact us by all means.
Our dedicated staff handles cases nationwide.
